Executive Protection and Secure Transportation Podcast
News:Business News
Terrorism today Moves at the Speed of Social Media
The Secure Transportation and Executive Protection News for Tuesday, September 11th, 2018
In remembrance of 9/11 today, this podcast episode is focusing on 9/11 and terrorism-related news articles.
From USA Today
On the anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks, terrorists readying to attack again: 9/11 commissioners
By Thomas H. Kean and Lee H. Hamilton
It might be tempting to think we have turned the tide on terrorism. After all, the Islamic State is on the run in Iraq and Syria, and terrorist attacks are on the decline globally for the third consecutive year. But that would be a grave mistake. Violent extremists are regrouping and will strike again.
The 9/11 Commission recommended three core goals for U.S. policy: Attack terrorists and their organizations, protect against and prepare for attacks, and prevent the continued growth of Islamist terrorism. The United States has effectively carried out the first two elements of this strategy but made little headway on the third. Until we do, the scourge of terrorism will continue to plague us.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2018/09/11/september-11-attacks-anniversary-terrorism-memorial-new-strategy-column/1212208002/
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And from the Pew Research Center
By John Gramlich
Defending against terrorism has remained a top policy priority for Americans since 9/11
Over the course of more than 15 years and three presidential administrations, Americans have consistently said that defending the nation against terrorism should be a top policy priority for the White House and Congress, according to Pew Research Center surveys conducted since shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
In January of this year, 73% of U.S. adults said defending the country against future terrorist attacks should be a top priority for President Donald Trump and Congress – making this one of the most frequently cited priorities, along with improving the educational system (72%) and strengthening the nation’s economy (71%).
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/09/11/defending-against-terrorism-has-remained-a-top-policy-priority-for-americans-since-9-11/
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And from CBS News
FBI Director Christopher Wray: "Terrorism today moves at the speed of social media"
The FBI has made a lot of changes in its structure and mindset in the 17 years since Sept. 11, 2001. Christopher Wray took the reins of the bureau just over a year ago. He and the men and women who keep Americans safe from terrorism have been busier than ever.
The Joint Terrorism Task Force, which includes the FBI and other federal, state and local agencies, receives about 15,000 tips a year. That's roughly 40 per day or two an hour.
In an interview with CBS News co-host, Norah O'Donnell spoke to Wray about why he believes the FBI is far better prepared to counter terror threats than it was in 2001.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/christopher-wray-fbi-director-911-120-terrorism-related-arrests-in-past-year/
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And as I wrap this special 9/11 podcast episode I’d like to relay my 9/11 story.
It is amazing that it has been 17 years. It still feels like yesterday. We all remember 9/11. I have a permanent daily reminder – a tattoo of two hands clasping with numbers 9-11-01 above.
We all have stories of where we were on that fateful day. For me I was on the 25th floor of One World Financial Center which was and is diagonally south of the towers. When the first plane hit it sounded like a dumpster was dropped from a garbage truck – kind of metal and tin meets asphalt. I looked out the window and saw papers flying by. Coworkers were saying a small plane had struck one of the towers. A look of fear was on their faces.
I immediately took the elevator down to the lobby and went outside to get a better view, I called my wife who was working for the same firm but on the 5th floor. Told her what happened. She remained in the building.
As I was looking up bodies started falling. It was horrible to see. As I looked away a dark shadow came across the sky with a loud roar. The second plane had it the other tower. People started running south screaming “another plane,” “we’re under attack!” Some were thinking that it was a missile.
I continued to head south to South End Ave – our firm’s rally point for contingency was there. I was having a difficult time finding my wife after the second plane communication lines were jammed. After about 20 minutes of walking back and forth frantically asking coworkers, we found each other back at the rally point.
Some time had passed without getting any clear direction on what to do. There was no plan for this. We weren’t exactly sure where to go. We were slowly watching the twin towers burn. A police officer came by to our group and told us to move north; we never thought that the towers would come down.
We moved north at a leisurely pace; my wife was frantically trying to contact our family on the cell phone to no avail. Right at the north cove marina and the winter garden she finally got through. We let them know we were fine and walking north. Her dad told us that there were other planes unaccounted for. At that moment the first tower began to fall. I screamed out “Oh, fuck! Run!” That was the last words her dad heard for hours.
We ran. People were getting trampled. Some were jumping in the Hudson River, others jumping into ferry and fire boats that had made their way along Hudson. At that moment self-preservation took over, and I forgot about everything and everyone and ran. We turned the corner just in time. We made it safely passed the plumes of smoke, debris, and dust. Others did not.
We were ushered through a construction gate by a man in a security jacket and finally back onto West St and headed north while fighter jets flew overhead – people ducking thinking jets would crash into other buildings. We continued walking north for about 30 to 45 minutes stopping along the way to catch our breath and try to soak in all of what happened.
When the second tower fell, we were far enough away that no smoke or debris could reach us. Our walking ended when we arrived at the NYC Sanitation garage on West St. near West 14 St. Other stranglers entered the garage covered in ash and debris. They offered the use of their bathroom, and we watched the TV they had. Our first opportunity to hear and see about the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. We sat there glued to the TV for a couple of hours making sure it was safe to venture out and making plans on how to get back home.
We eventually made it back to Staten Island around 6 pm to watch CNN non-stop for several days.
I’d like to end this podcast with a moment of silence in honor of the heroes and victims of September 11, 2001.
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Links to all news stories mentioned in this podcast are available at the archive website securitydrivernews.libsyn.com. You can also listen to past news briefings and leave comments.
As a reminder, the news briefing is available on all variations of Apple and Google Play podcast apps and Spotify.
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